Does anyone remember a poem titled "The Disabled Child"? I think I read it on the old forum,quite some time ago, but I couldn't find it. My husband read it then, but would like to read it again. Priscilla

DarlaMay

April 7th, 2004, 11:58 PM

Priscilla- I remember the poem. I printed it out and will try to find it in my folder. Until then-Or until someone else finds it-here is one that is similar but called "Heaven's Special Child"

Heaven's Special Child

I will teach you
about what is really important in
this life.

I will give you and teach you
unconditional love.

I gift you with my innocent trust,
my dependency upon you.
I teach you of respect for others
and their uniqueness.

I teach you about the sanctity of
life.
I teach you
about how precious this very life is
and about not taking it for granted.

I teach you
about forgetting your own needs
and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.

I am the child who cannot talk. You often pity me, I see it in your eyes.
You wonder how much I am aware of -- I see that as well.
I am aware of much -- whether you are happy or sad or fearful,
patient or impatient, full of love and desire,
or if you are just doing your duty by me.
I marvel at your frustration, knowing mine to be far greater,
for I cannot express myself or my needs as you do.

You cannot conceive my isolation, so complete it is at times.
I do not gift you with clever conversation, cute remarks
to be laughed over and repeated.
I do not give you answers to your everyday questions,
responses over my well-being, sharing my needs,
or comments about the world about me.
I do not give you rewards as defined by the world's standards --
great strides in development that you can credit yourself;
I do not give you understanding as you know it.

What I give you is so much more valuable --
I give you instead opportunities.
Opportunities to discover the depth of your character, not mine;
the depth of your love, your commitment, your patience, your abilities;
the opportunity to explore your spirit more deeply than you imagined possible.
I drive you further than you would ever go on your own,
working harder, seeking answers to your many questions with no answers.
I am the child who cannot talk.

I am the child who cannot walk. The world seems to pass me by.
You see the longing in my eyes to get out of this chair,
to run and play like other children.
There is much you take for granted.
I want the toys on the shelf, I need to go to the bathroom,
oh I've dropped my fork again. I am dependant on you in these ways.
My gift to you is to make you more aware of your great fortune,
your healthy back and legs, your ability to do for yourself.
Sometimes people appear not to notice me; I always notice them.
I feel not so much envy as desire, desire to stand upright,
to put one foot in front of the other, to be independent.
I give you awareness. I am the child who cannot walk.

I am the child who is mentally impaired. I don't learn easily,
if you judge me by the world's measuring stick,
what I do know is infinite joy in simple things.
I am not burdened as you are with the strifes
and conflicts of a more complicated life.
My gift to you is to grant you the freedom to enjoy things as a child,
to teach you how much your arms around me mean,
to give you love. I give you the gift of simplicity.
I am the child who is mentally impaired.

I am the disabled child. I am your teacher.
If you allow me, I will teach you what is really important in life.
I will give you and teach you unconditional love.
I gift you with my innocent trust, my dependency upon you.
I teach you about how precious this life is and
about not taking things for granted.
I teach you about forgetting your own needs and desires and dreams.
I teach you giving.
Most of all I teach you hope and faith.
I am the disabled child.

~Author Unknown

DarlaMay

April 8th, 2004, 09:03 AM

Kris-I don't know if that is the one Priscilla meant, but that (I am the Child) is the one I thought of and was looking for my copy of. It is a powerful jolt to the emotions when you read it, I tend to get teary when I read it.

aaronsmom1027

April 8th, 2004, 09:46 AM

Here is a poem called "The Special Child"

The Special Child
The Child, yet unborn, spoke with the Father,
"Lord, how will I survive in the world?
I will not be like other children, My
walk may be slower, my speech hard
to understand, I may look different.
What is to become of me?"

The Lord replied to the child,
"My precious one, have no fear, I will
give you exceptional parents, They
will love you because you are special,
not in spite of it. Though your path
throught life will be difficult, your
reward will be greater, You have been
blessed with a special ability to love,
and those whose lives you touch will
be blessed because you are special."

Maybe not what you are looking for but the names are similar :)

Trisha Athy
Mother to Aaron (MPS-1H)

Priscilla Raftery

April 8th, 2004, 11:34 AM

Kris, yes, thank you! That is the one. But the others are so beautiful, too, thank you everyone. Priscilla

zachiesmom

April 8th, 2004, 03:42 PM

These are all beautiful and so very true. :cry:
God bless all of you parents and most of all our :angel: babies!

The Rea Family

April 8th, 2004, 05:57 PM

All of these poems are absolutely beautiful!
Thanks to all for posting them.
I'm collecting poems like these(these included) for a book that i'm making for Christopher.

MishLuvsHer2Boys

April 8th, 2004, 09:49 PM

Here is one that was shared with me when Dylan received his autism dx:

Heaven's Very Special Child

A meeting was held quite far from earth
"It's time again for another birth,"
Said the angels to the Lord above,
"This special child will need much love.

His progress may seem very slow
Accomplishments he may not show
And he'll require extra care
From the folks he meets down there.

He may not run or laugh or play
His thoughts might seem quike far away
In many ways he won't adapt
And he'll be known as handicapped.

So let's be careful where he's sent
We want his life to be content
Please Lord, find the parents who
Will do a special job for you.

They will not realize right away
The leading role they're asked to play
But with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.

And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven
Their precious charge, so meek and mild
Is Heaven's very special child."